Under the new rule, U.S. airlines operating domestic flights must allow passengers to deplane after a tarmac delay of three hours. The only exceptions allowed are for safety or security, or if air traffic control advises the pilot otherwise.

Carriers are also required to provide adequate food and drinking water within two hours of being delayed on the tarmac; they must also maintain operable lavatories and, if necessary, provide medical attention.

You'd think that mandating that an airline attend to its customers' basic needs -- and you don't get more basic than the ones above -- wouldn't be necessary, but here we are.

Prohibits the largest U.S. airlines from scheduling chronically delayed flights

While we enthusiastically applaud the new requirements, one potential downside is that deplaning passengers due to a lengthy delay may lead to even bigger delays. But at least you'd be delayed in the terminal, not inside a cramped, stuffy plane.

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